Morning on the Marsh at Capestang

Central path at the marsh at Capestang.

I met up with five friends for a walk across the marsh at Capestang.  As we started off we had Bluethroats very much in mind as Janet one of our number had seen one here a few days earlier.  Arriving at a likely spot we were thrilled and amazed to find four of these delightful birds of which one at least was a White-spotted male.

Male White-spotted Bluethroat - photo by David Tomlinson

Moving one we stopped to look at an amazing Crayfish making its way slowly towards a ditch.

Crayfish

 We moved on hearing Cetti's Warblers singing noisily and flushed 6 Snipe and another Bluethroat. A bit further on a Green Sandpiper flew up and a Little Grebe was on open water.  Suddenly 6 Bearded Tits flew "pinging" in the reeds.

Male Bearded Tit

After this we began to pick up raptors overhead and after an hour of watching our total was 6 Common Buzzards, 5 Marsh Harriers, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 3 Red Kites, 3 dark phase Booted Eagles, Goshawk and a Hobby catching insects as it moved south.

Marsh Harrier

 Reaching the bend we noted our sixth Bluethroat and turned around.  Walking back we added 2 Great White Egrets, Common Redstart, c30 Teal and 4 Cormorants soaring high overhead.  A wonderful morning with great birds in good company.